VITRIFICATION OF OOCYTES WORKSHOP, VALENCIA, SPAIN Thursday, May 27, 2010, 09:00-18:00 9:00-13:00    THEORETICAL SESSION Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Ferring 09:00-09:05   Introduction                     A. Cobo, Spain     09:05-09:40   Fundamentals of Cryobiology                     S. Leibo, USA   09:40-10:30   Basic principles of vitrification                      A. Arav, Israel   10:30-11:00  Coffee break 11:00-11:45  Different approaches of Vitrification                     G. Vajta, Australia 11:45-12:45  The Cryotop method for oocyte Vitrification. Description of the technique.                     Clinical results                     N. Kagawa, Japan   Live demonstration of using the Cryotop Method vitrifying oocyte with explanation by  Prof. Kagawa   Aim of the theoretical session: To introduce the biophysical and biochemical principles involved in cryobiology; Ice formation Slow freezing procedures Seeding Freezing curves The physical principles of Vitrification, introduction to minimum volume methods, cooling rates and different Vitrification devices. 12:45-14:00  Lunch 14:00-18:00  HANDS-ON WORKSHOP: OOCYTE AND EMBRYO VITRIFICATION - THE                    CRYOTOP METHOD:                    Director: A. Cobo, Spain   The aim of this interactive workshop is to gain the practical use of management skills to carry out the Cryotop Vitrification method providing a unique opportunity for embryologist to learn about and practice an improved method of Vitrification. In addition to the "hands-on" laboratory program, general principles of cryobiology, minimum volume methods, cooling rates and different Vitrification devices will be discussed in a scheduled program of talks and demos performed by recognized scientists top in the field of cryobiology. Participants are embryologists and researchers working in this particular discipline. Participants should have the pre-requisite of embryo handling skills.   Workshop fee including Congress registration: €2,500 (Two Thousand Five Hundred Euro).